May 01, 2009 |

What’s this all aboot? Kevin Millar–last seen in Baltimore where he was proclaimed washed up–is now hitting .343 for the division leading Blue Jays. The Orioles are in Toronto for a three game series that starts Friday night. Millar’s probably planning a few sophomoric pranks to play on his former teammates right about now. Say what you want about Millar’s bat, the dude’s got jokes.

As for his average, no, this doesn’t mean the O’s should have re-signed Millar to be their every day first baseman. Much of Millar’s success in Toronto is probably due to his being used sparingly. Thus far, Millar has appeared in less than half of Toronto’s regular season games. The other part of Millar’s success is due to small sample size.

Let’s not expect Kevin Millar to compete for the batting title in September.

The O’s have their work cut out for them this series. The team has lost 11 of their last 14 games and does not seem to be able to put nine innings of good pitching and timely hitting together. Ty Wigginton alone has stranded more people than were left on the Titanic.

Meanwhile, Toronto is 15-9 and looking to keep pace with the Red Sox. Below are your weekend previews and predictions.

To date, I have made 7 predictions, none of which were correct, most of which were wildly inaccurate. So let me make this bold prediction: Whether on first base or in the dugout, Kevin Millar will make an Oriole laugh with one of his trademark punchlines.

My guess is the LOLing Oriole will be Millar’s former compatriot Aubrey Huff. Get ye to Vegas, and remember Millar makes Huff laugh. You heard it hear first.

Ouch, this doesn’t look good on paper. Five-time All-Star Roy Halliday pitches complete games and competes for the Cy Young every year. Mark Hendrickson is just trying to hold on to a back-of-the-rotation spot. The O’s may be better off asking to play this one on the basketball court, although at 6’6” 225 lbs, Halliday may posterize former NBA player Hendrickson the way Michael Jordan posterized Hendrickson in the ’90s.

Facing David Purcey may be just what rookie Brad Bergesen needs to get back on track. Purcey was a strikeout guy in the minors, but he is coming off a couple of disappointing performances. Bergesen performed admirably in his MLB debut and not-so-admirably in his second MLB start. Here’s to hoping for a return to his debut form. Also, don’t forget that for some reason this game is being played in the middle of the day on Saturday. I’m not sure why, but I bet it has something to do with hockey. So, here’s yet another reason to dislike hockey, as if you needed any more.

Guthrie is the Orioles ace who is playing more like a 5th starter right now. Richmond is the Jays’ 5th starter playing more like an ace right now. Richmond isn’t a power pitcher, and he gives up home runs. Let’s hope that the two experience a reversal of fortune when they meet.